Arrangement for resealing carbonated beverage containers

ABSTRACT

A cap arrangement reseals a beverage container having a top with an aperture that can be opened to discharge the beverage and a rim with an inner surface around the top, in particular, carbonated soda can. The arrangement has a main cap for engagement over the beverage container top, for covering the beverage container top, a seal member connected hermetically to the main cap and extending toward the beverage container top and a locking mechanism connected to the main cap for fixing the main cap to the beverage can with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container. The seal member has an annular pressure sealing portion adapted to engage against, and hermetical seal with the inner surface of the beverage container rim. The arrangement may also include an enclosure for receiving the beverage container. The enclosure may be insulated and form part of the locking mechanism which may be screw threads between the main cap and the enclosure.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to beverage containers,and in particular to a new and useful arrangement for resealing abeverage container such as a carbonated soda can.

[0002] Aluminum cans have been used to contain carbonated, pressurizedsoda, beer or other pressurized beverages as well as non-carbonateddrinks for many years. Initially, the cans were opened using a canopener which cut a triangular hole into the upper surface of the cannear its rim. Later, tab openers were developed which included a tabconnected to a portion of the can cover, surrounded by a weakening. Thetab was pulled to dislodge the portion, thus exposing an opening. Tabswere discarded and posed a litter problem. The technology developedfurther to produce attached tabs which were used as levers to rupture aperipheral weakening and push a section of the can top down into thecan. The tab ripped away a portion of the can top and permanentlyattached itself to the can so that the can with its tab and top could bediscarded or recycled as a unit.

[0003] Although such cans are normally thought of as single-useproducts, various devices have been developed to re-close the can toallow it to be re-used at some future time. These devices generallyfailed to reseal the can and preserve carbonization. Some merelyre-close the can opening to avoid contamination. A typical example isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,525 to Tucker.

[0004] One other example of the prior art is illustrated in FIG. 11. Asshown in FIG. 11, an aluminum can 100 includes an aluminum top 102 whichis connected to a sidewall of the can through an upstanding rim 108,having an inner surface 110 and an outer bead 112. The prior artre-closing device comprises a main cap 120 made of durable plastic andhaving a central opening 122 with a thread 124 that can receive asecondary cap (not shown). Main cap 120 includes, at one side thereof, afixed hook 126 which engages under the bead 112. A rotatable hook member128 has a central opening 130 mounted for rotation around a central stemin the main cap 120 which contains the central opening 122. Hook member128 includes a hook portion 132 which engages under bead 112 at alocation opposite from the hook portion 126. To engage the prior artdevice, hook member 128 is pivoted around the axis of the cap as shownby the curved arrow X, to bring the hook portion 132 of the hook member128 around and close to the hook portion 126 of the main cap 120. Thispermits both hooks to engage under the bead 112. The hook member 128 isthen rotated to swing hook member 132 to the opposite side of the can,thus engaging the opposite sides of the bead 112 and fixing the main capto the can. To help preserve the pressure in the can, a resilient seal136, having an L-shaped cross section was fixed below main cap 120 andpressed down against the upper surface of can top 102.

[0005] Several problems were experienced by the prior art structure.Firstly, the hooks 126, 132 tended to disengage from the rim after somepressure had built up, thus raising the cap off the can. Secondly, ifthe hook did not disengage rapidly as in the first case, the pressure inthe can tended to leak past the seal 136 anyway. The construction andposition of the main cap and seal tended to “fight” the gas pressure inthe can and generally lost the battle.

[0006] In addition, although the mechanism is clever, the way to usehook number 128 is not visually obvious, thus requiring specificinstructions to operate the device.

[0007] A need remains for a simple and effective mechanism for resealinga carbonated beverage container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangementfor resealing a beverage container having a top with an aperture thatcan be opened to discharge the beverage and a rim with an inner surfacearound the top, in particular, carbonated soda container. Thearrangement has a main cap for engagement over and for covering thebeverage container top, a seal member connected to the main cap andextending toward the beverage container top and a locking mechanismconnected to the main cap for fixing the main cap to the beveragecontainer with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and to maintainpressure in the beverage container. The seal member has an annularpressure sealing portion adapted to engage against, and hermetical sealwith the inner surface of the beverage container rim.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an enclosure forreceiving the beverage container. The enclosure may be insulated andform part of the locking mechanism which may be screw threads betweenthe main cap and the enclosure.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to form the locking mechanismas latch means on the main cap for engaging the bead around the beveragecontainer rim.

[0011] The various features of novelty which characterize the inventionare pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top perspective and exploded view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing how the main cap of thepresent invention can be used to lift a soda can tab;

[0016]FIG. 4 is an exploded top perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 showing additional parts of one possible embodiment of theinvention;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of an upper portion of thedevice of the present invention with a can to be resealed;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of a further embodiment of theinvention;

[0019]FIG. 7A is a schematic partial and sectional view of the rim areaof a beverage can and one embodiment of the seal of the presentinvention before the main cap has been brought down onto the can,illustrating some principles of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 7A with the main cap furtherdown into its final engagement position with the can;

[0021]FIG. 7C is a view similar to FIG. 7B of the seal in its fullyseated position, but before internal gas pressure has been exerted onthe seal;

[0022]FIG. 7D is a view similar to FIG. 7A of the seal after it hasreceived pressure and the main cap may have been lifted slightly fromits fully seated position, but still with the seal avoiding pressureleakage and actually improving the seal by virtue of its receivingpressure from the beverage container;

[0023]FIG. 8A is an exploded view of one embodiment of the invention andthe top of a beverage can before the invention is engaged to the can;

[0024]FIG. 8B is a view similar to FIG. 8A, but with the inventivedevice engaged;

[0025]FIG. 8C is a view similar to FIG. 8B with a secondary cap of theinvention engaged for further locking the device to the can;

[0026]FIG. 8D is a view similar to FIG. 8B showing the position of thedevice when it is to be disengaged from the can;

[0027]FIG. 9A is an exploded side sectional view of this embodimentshowing important features of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the middle of FIG. 9A;

[0029]FIG. 10A is an exploded and sectional view of the invention ofFIG. 9A, taken in the direction of line 10A-10A in FIG. 9B;

[0030]FIG. 10B is a sectional view of the assembled device taken in thedirection of line 10B-10B of FIG. 9B;

[0031]FIG. 10C is a sectional view of a further embodiment of theinvention similar to FIG. 10A, but with a smaller secondary cap whichalso has a locking function;

[0032]FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of a prior art device forresealing a soda can;

[0033]FIG. 12 is a schematic simplified view of an alternate sealarrangement of the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 13 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 12 engaged to abeverage container;

[0035]FIG. 14 is a partial schematic representation of a still furtherembodiment of the invention; and

[0036]FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 of a still further embodimentof the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodiedin FIG. 5 is an arrangement generally designated 10, for resealing abeverage container such as a carbonated soda can 100, having a top 102with an aperture 104 that can be opened, for example, by lifting a tab106, to discharge the beverage, and a rim 108 with an inner surface 110,around the top 102. The arrangement 10 comprises a main cap 12 ofdurable plastic such as polyethylene, polysulfone, nylon or otherplastic which is washable and suitable for foods. The main cap is forengagement over, and at least completely covering the beverage containertop 102. The arrangement of the invention also includes an annular sealmember 14 that is hermetically connected to the main cap 12 and which isextending downwardly toward the beverage container top 102. The sealmember has an annular pressure sealing portion 16 adapted to engageagainst, and hermetical seal with the inner surface 110 of the beveragecontainer rim 108, for creating a hermetic chamber 27 to reseal theaperture 104.

[0038] Locking means are connected to the main cap for fixing the maincap to the beverage container with sufficient force to resist pressurefrom, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container. In theembodiment of FIG. 5, the locking means are a male thread 18 on theinner surface of a lip 20 extending downwardly from the outer perimeterof cap 12, and a female thread 22 at the open upper end of an enclosure24 which has an inner space for closely receiving the body of soda can100. The threads 18, 20 are selected to be large enough, depending onthe strength of the plastic material of the cap 12 and enclosure 24, toaccommodated and restrain the gas pressure from soda can 100, which mayrise to 50 psi, at least, (3.5 kg/sq cm) and thus produce a force of atleast 150 lbs. (68 kg) on the main cap from a typical soda can top 102having a 2 inch (5 cm) diameter. Another feature of the invention is anopening 26 through the main cap 12 for discharging beverage from thebeverage container or soda can 100, and a secondary cap 28 removablyengaged with the main cap, for example by threads, for closing theopening with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and to maintainpressure in the beverage container. Since the small cap 28 has far lesssurface area than the main cap 12, the threads need not be as strong tostill resist gas leakage and keep the soda or other carbonated beveragefrom going “flat.” This hermetic sealing can be accomplished manydifferent ways. For example, the conventional cap of a pressurizedplastic soda bottle can be utilized for the secondary cap 28 and itsthreaded opening 26.

[0039] Although threads are used in the embodiment of FIG. 5, otherlocking means such as latches, bayonet closures and the like can beused. Also, the threads can be reversed e.g. male on the main cap andfemale on the closure.

[0040]FIG. 5 also illustrates the use of an O-ring, or similar structure19 fixed to the upper inner surface of cap near the rim 20 which, whenthreads 18 are fully engaged with threads 22, presses down on the top ofthe container 24, improving thermal insulation of the can. This alsoinsures hermetic sealing of the enclosure with the main cap, therebyallowing the additional function of a regular THERMOS (a trademark) typecontainer, including keeping hot beverages hot, and cold beverages cold.

[0041] Main cap 12 can be made of one part or multiple parts. Wheremultiple parts are used, outer portions of the main cap can be ofincreased insulating R value again to improve the insulatingcharacteristics of the overall enclosure.

[0042] Depending from the inner central region of cap 12 is a downwardprojection or inner rim 17 which, as will be explained in greater detailwith the aid of FIGS. 7A to 7D, backs up at least part of the seal 16and has an outer surface that actually extends down into the rim 108 andnear the upper portion of inner surface 110 above the seal.

[0043] Turning now to FIGS. 1-4 which illustrate other aspects of thefirst embodiment of the invention, container 24 may be made of one pieceof plastic or other appropriate material, but can be multiple parts asshown in FIG. 4 to improve the insulation value. For example, container24 can include an outer plastic shell with a handle 25. This shellreceives an insulating insert 27 which can be foam insulation materialor other appropriate insulating structure. Insulating member 27 ishollow and receives an inner shell portion 29 which has an outerdiameter which closely fits the inner diameter of member 27, and aninner diameter which is optionally only slightly larger than the outerdiameter of typical soda can 100. In this way, the soda can slidessmoothly into the open top of the shell 29 as air escapes from aroundthe can, thus preventing spillage of the drink in case the can has beenopened before being installed into the enclosure. As illustrated in FIG.4, the lower part of container 24 may optionally be smaller in diameterso that to fit the cup holders that are standard in most cars. Manytypes of insulating material can be used in conjunction with theinvention (and are not critical to the invention). The only requirementcritical to the invention regarding the enclosure is that the innershell be strong enough to allow only a minimum deformation when theforce of at least 150 psi resulting from the build up of the pressuretends to separate the main cap from the inner shell.

[0044] A variety of manufacturers have existing insulating containerswhich can be adapted to the present invention, including companies suchas Rubbermaid, Coleman, Igloo, or Thermos, which specializes in vacuumtype insulation. These companies all have various types of coolers withmany different insulating means that can be adapted to the presentinvention.

[0045] Another feature of the invention is a strap 21 which has a lowerend that is fixed, for example, by plastic welding to the cap 12 andconnected by a rotatable connection, e.g. a washer shape at the upperend of the stripe, around a rivet on the secondary cap 28. This preventsloss of the secondary cap.

[0046] The lower edge of outer rim 20 can also be shaped so that it canbe used as a tool to lift the tab 106 as shown in FIG. 3, sometimes adifficult task especially if attempted by a woman with long nails.According to a still further embodiment of the invention, a grate may beprovided in the opening 26 (FIG. 5) to prevent insects from flying intothe soda can. An example of the grate is illustrated in connection withFIG. 9A.

[0047] In FIG. 1, main cap or lid 12 is shown to extend only to aboutthe level of the top of the can to be reclosed. The inventor alsocontemplates a lid which extends down further, however, and actuallyforms part of the container. For example, the lid may extend down toabout the midway point along the height of the container. In an extremecase, the lid may extend all the way to the floor of the container withonly the bottom being removably connected to the lid. The main purposeis to hold the lid down firmly on the top of the soda can.

[0048] Returning to FIG. 5, seal 14, with its lower sealing portion 16also has an upward inwardly extending flange portion 15 which, with anupper portion of the seal co-extrusion, that can be attached, forexample, by glueing, welding or in other ways to the inner surface ofinner rim 17. The seal 14 may be made of appropriate resilient sealingmaterial, including different plastics or synthetic rubber, for instancethe synthetic material known as DAVORENE. The same material can be usedfor the O-ring 19. The seal material may be about one millimeter thick,or preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 mm in thickness. As will beexplained in greater detail later in this disclosure, an importantfeature of the invention is that the pressure from the can to beresealed actually enhances the sealing function of the seal. As shown inFIG. 5, seal 14 has an upper inwardly extending flange 15 which extendsunder the lower surface of main cap 12 and gives the seal 14 an invertedL-shape. At the outer radial end of flange 15 a semi-circular or curvedbead 31 extends into a correspondingly shaped groove in the material ofcap 12 to allow keeping the seal in place just by wedging. When pressurebuilds up, the flange 15 is actually pushed against the correspondingarea of the main cap, whereby enhancing hermetical sealing. This shapeof the seal also permits the seal to be removed and replaced, e.g. towash it thoroughly, by pulling the lower end 16 of the seal radiallyinward to disengage the seal 14 from the cap 12. As noted above, theseal may be glued, molded or otherwise fixed to the cap.

[0049] In FIG. 6, a simplified embodiment of the invention isillustrated where the same reference numerals are utilized to designatethe same or functionally similar parts. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, themain cap 12 includes an inner annular groove 17′, which, at its deepestlocation, includes a resilient seal member or portion 16′ which ispositioned or shaped to engage the top of the rim 108 of beveragecontainer 100 when main cap 12 is screwed onto container 24 and actuallypresses the seal down.

[0050] Turning now to FIGS. 7A to 7D, in FIG. 7A seal 14 is shown whilethe main cap (not shown) is still above the beverage container top 102.

[0051]FIG. 7A illustrates certain dimensions and parameters of the cangeometry which are important for the present invention. This includesthe radius Rt which is the radius of the upper end of the inner surface110 of the can rim 108. The radius Rb is the radius of the lower end ofthe inner surface 110. The space between these two radii is importantsince the outer sealing surface of the seal portion 16 mustsubstantially lie between these two radii.

[0052] Other important landmarks for the present invention include theangle A between the outer surface of the seal 14 and the inner surface110 of the rim and the angle B between the outer surface of the seal andthe central axis of the can. The angle A plus B is the total angle ofthe inner surface 110 of the can which is typically between 5°-30° andusually about 20° in most commercially available carbonated beveragecans.

[0053] For the present invention, the angle A can be as little as 0°where the outer surface of the seal portion 16 is parallel to the innersurface 110 of the can rim 108, or as much as 30° where the innersurface of the sealing portion 16 is substantially parallel to the axisof the can.

[0054] In absolute terms, the outer surface of the seal 16 can have anangle B, that is, the angle with the axis of about 0°-30°.

[0055] In the preferred embodiment of the seal, the angle A should bearound 5°-10°, such that the seal start touching the rim when the cap isnot all the way down on the soda can with a gap G of at least 2 mm (asseen in FIG. 7B). This way, there is hermetic sealing even with the gapG and even before any pressure builds, which will be particularlycritical in a particular embodiment of the invention described later.

[0056]FIG. 7C shows the fully seated position for the cap. It also showshow the seal is twisted in the bottom groove of the can in the lastapproximately 2 mm before the cap is fully seated. This provides anadditional improvement w of the hermetic sealing and will also preventthe main cap from sliding on the soda can in the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, when the secondary cap isscrewed or unscrewed. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, at leastthe end portion of the seal should have a thickness slightly bigger thanthe groove of the can at its starting point (see O). In the US standardcan for Sodas, “O” is approximately 1.1 mm, so the thickness of the sealthen can be of 1.1 to 1.3 mm.

[0057]FIG. 7D shows the main cap in a slight upper position above thesoda can, and with pressure P represented by the arrows on the drawingcoming into action. The gap G1 corresponds either to manufacturingtolerances of both the can and the present invention, or the flexibilityof the plastic material stressed by the force exerted with the pressure,or to a functional gap as, in particular, in the invention of FIGS. 8 to10 further described, or a combination of all.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7D, the design of the rim of the main cap allowsthe seal to “naturally” extend laterally, thus allowing the pressurewhich has an outward component to actually press the sealing portion ofthe seal more tightly out against the inner surface 110 of the rim. Thearea of the rim that goes against the rim of the can is preferablyparallel to it.

[0059] The main function of the rim of the main cap, however, is toprevent the seal from bulging through the gap G1 and lose its function,when the main cap lifts up. Indeed, the rim of the main cap reduces theopening that would be, without the rim, tantamount to G1, into G2, by acoefficient of sine (A), A being the angle defined previously, besides avery small play between the rim of the main cap and the rim of the canto offset can tolerances.

[0060] As can be seen on FIG. 7D, this prevents any possibility for theseal to slide out, thus permitting a perfect secured and hermeticalsealing, even if the gap G1 is as big as the height of the rim of themain cap, or even slightly bigger.

[0061] The depth L of the rim of the main cap and the depth LS of theseal can vary, but in the preferred embodiment the total of L+LS isequal to the depth LR of the rim of the can. In consideration of themaximum lift up of the main cap for any of the different embodiments ofthe invention which is no more than a fourth of LR, the depth of the rimof the main cap is set in the preferred embodiment at around one thirdof LR, thus leaving enough sealing area to go against the rim of thecan.

[0062] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention wherethe invention is meant to engage only the upper end of the can to beresealed. Instead of using hook areas which are relatively shortcompared to the total circumference of the can rim, as was the case inthe prior art of FIG. 11, the inventor has realized that the “hook area”should be extended around the circumference of the can rim as far aspossible. In the extreme case, the hook area can be divided into twohalves, each extending over one half the can rim. In practice, however,this extreme arrangement entails other constraints and therefore is notconsidered as the preferred embodiment. In any case, those largerlatches require the ability of the main cap to move slightly up and downonce hooked onto the can thanks to a functional gap, to permit freeengagement and disengagement of the latches, and that while stillkeeping a hermetical sealing. The seal configuration with the inner rimof the main cap, which was described previously, permits thisrequirement which is particularly critical to this embodiment of theinvention. As an alternative, the present invention utilizes a main capor lid which has two broad arcuate hook areas that can be articulatedwith respect to each other to spread the hook areas apart for engagingand disengaging the can. The resiliency of the main cap itself keeps thehook areas together when they are not forcefully spread apart and this,in conjunction with the engagement itself and the pressure from the can,help positively lock the main lid to the can in a manner which canresist pressures generated by soda or beer in cans. Actual tests haverevealed that the device can actually withstand pressures of over 140psi, at which pressure the soda can actually deforms and explodes. Thisis far more resistence to pressure than would be needed to retain normalcarbonation for the purpose of the invention, even in extreme hightemperature conditions.

[0063] Turning now to FIG. 8A, main cap 142, made of resilient yetstrong synthetic material, has a pair of opposite latches 144 which eachhave inner crescent-shaped hooks designed to engage opposite sides ofthe can bead 112. A secondary cap 148, shown in FIG. 8C, has an interiorthread for engaging over a secondary opening in neck 146 of the main cap142.

[0064] Briefly stated, by squeezing the upper end of main cap 142 in thedirection of arrows F-F in FIG. 8D, the latches or latch areas 144spread, allowing the latches to be engaged or disengaged with the can100. FIG. 8B shows the engaged position for the main cap 142 and FIG. 8Cshows how the secondary cap 148 holds the main cap in the lockedposition, although the secondary cap 148 is not necessary to maintainthe lock. Two pairs of live hinges or narrow bridges are shown at 150,and the resiliency of these hinges or bridges, are used to allowpivoting of the latch portions and return of the latch portions to theirlocked positions (FIG. 8B).

[0065] Because of the complexity of the shape of the main cap 142, theinventor has found that it is most economical to make the main cap oftwo separate parts which are snapped together. This is best illustratedin FIG. 9A. The two-part main cap allows for faster and cheaper massproduction of the invention and requires less intricate tooling tomanufacture the invention. The two-part structure also permits theselection of more specific plastic which is best suited to each of thefunctions of the invention; all this, while still keeping the inventionas simple to manufacture and use as possible.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9A, each latch portion is provided on asubstantially cylindrical latch member 145. As shown in FIG. 9B, theinner circumference of each arcuate latch portion 144 includes anarcuate step or hook 149 that extends around approximately 140° of thecircumference of the latch member 145 in the preferred embodiment, oneach side of a center line of the member, the center line being wellillustrated by line 10A-10A in FIG. 9B. Each latch can be about 90° toabout almost 180°. The closer to 180°, the less stress the hook areawill get from the load due to the pressure of the soda, since the loadis then spread out on a bigger surface area. However, the closer to 180°each hooking area is, the more the two latches have to be squeezed toengage and disengage the can, which becomes “unnatural” at some point.It has been found that 140° is a good compromise between those twoprevious issues.

[0067] Coming back to the extreme case of the hooking area being closeto 180°, it is important to note that only one hinge is then used, andconsequently only 2 lower slots and two upper slots separate the twolatches (not represented on the drawings).

[0068] Another important aspect of the invention is the distance Drepresented in FIG. 10B, which represents the space in which the bead ofthe can is so as to hold the main cap to the can. This distance isalways more important than the height of the bead of the can so tat toleave a functional gap that is critical to this particular embodiment.The larger the latches are and therefore the closer the hinges are tothe center, the bigger this gap has to be. The gap is necessary topermit the engagement and disengagement of the crescent-shaped hooks.Conversely, when the pressure builds up, the seal support member liftsup, thus filling the gap which mechanically prevents the disengagementof the latch. This produces a self-locking effect. To allow the flexingshown at FIG. 8D, the cylindrical portion of the latch member 145contains four lower slots 152, provided in two pairs on opposite sidesof the latch member 145. Grooves 151 are also cut into preferably thelower surface of a transverse platform 156 in the member 145 so that thebridges 150 extend across the entire platform and through the slots 152to form the live hinges. Narrower upper slots 154 are also provided intwo pairs on opposite sides of the latch member 145 and at the upper endof the cylindrical portion. These upper slots allow the latches 144, 144to flex as shown in FIG. 8D and also limit the flex to what is necessaryto engage and disengage the device from the top of the can 5° and notmore than 15°, such that it is impossible to overstress the hinge.Bridges 150 are defined within these slots.

[0069] As noted, the latch member 145 also includes the platform 156which contains an aperture 158, shaped to receive a conical projection160 extending from a seal support member 165, forming the other majorportion of the cap 142. Conical projection 160 is substantially hollowand carries, at its upper end, the threaded neck 146.

[0070] Secondary cap 148 has a cylindrical skirt dimensioned to engagearound the outer surfaces of latch portions 144, and also has inintegrally molded threaded cap portion 147 for threadably engaging theneck 146 to hermetically seal the neck closed. A grated partition 162spans the opening in conical projection 160 and has multiple aperturesfor passing fluid, but for preventing insects, of instance, to passthrough. The outer surface of projection 160 includes an annular step164 which is spaced above an upper flat surface 166 of the seal supportmember 165, by a distance which is about the same as the thickness ofplatform 156. Aperture 158 in platform 156 has a pair of conical innersurface portions 159 which taper inwardly in an upward direction and areshaped to resiliently slide over the outer surface of conical projection160 and snap lock under step 164. The remaining circumference of opening158 is cylindrical so that both areas of the platform outside of thehinges can move up freely when the latches are operated. For betterunderstanding of the engagement between the two parts of the main cap142, the cylindrical portion of the opening 158 is shown in FIG. 10B,while the conical portions 159 and their close engagement around thebase of projection 160 and under the step 164 is shown in FIG. 10C.

[0071]FIG. 10B also illustrates how the inner surface of the skirt ofsecondary cap 148 closely embraces the outer surfaces of latch portions144 to keep the latch portions locked inwardly toward the rim of the can(not shown in these figures). An alternate embodiment is shown in FIG.10C where a smaller secondary cap 149, having a skirt which extendsagainst the inner surface of the upper portion of latch member 145, isutilized to keep the upper portions from being moved inwardly in thedirection of arrows F-F of FIG. 8D. This also serves to keep the latchmembers in their locked positions.

[0072] As previously explained, the latch member 145 is the only partwhich bears heavy mechanical constraints. One the FDA approved syntheticmaterial that can be used is DELRIN, which has good rigidity and yetsufficient resiliency for the hinges. This material also has gooddimensional stability in environment both cold and containing moisture,which is important since the device can be used in a fridge.

[0073] The seal support member and the secondary cap can be made in amuch wider range of synthetic materials, as long as they are FDAapproved, such a polypropylene plastics, which are inexpensive.

[0074] As with the other embodiments of the invention, seal 14 is madeof a separate member of resilient material. Alternatively, the sealsupport member 165 may be manufactured with an integrally formed seal 14made of the same material, but much thinner than the rest of the member165 to achieve the seal function.

[0075] As with the other embodiments of the invention, part of thedevice can be shaped for use as a lever to engage under the tab of thecan. For example, the bottom edge 170 of the skirt of secondary cap 148can serve this function.

[0076]FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a still further embodiment of theinvention. In this embodiment the main cap 200 can be engaged to thebeverage container 100 in any mechanism already disclosed, for exampleusing latch means for engaging the upper end of the container or inconjunction with an outer container for enclosing the beveragecontainer. As with the other embodiments of the invention, main cap 200includes an opening 202 therethrough, which itself is closed by asecondary cap 204.

[0077] The seal 214 of the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, includes anannular, flexible sealing portion 216 which is positioned and shaped,just as the sealing portion 16 in other embodiments of the invention, sothat pressure from beverage container 100 actually presses the sealingportion 216 more firmly against part of the beverage container forsealing the container. Main cap 200 also includes a rim 206 adapted tofit into the groove of the top of the can, as seen in FIG. 13, when themain cap is all the way down on the can. Rim 206 is such that itprevents the seal 214 and its portion 216 from sliding out with thepressure, even when the main cap possibly slightly lifts up due to thebuild up of the pressure. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, sealingportion 216 is forcefully pressed down against the upper surface ofcontainer 100, in the direction of arrows 220.

[0078] In the embodiment of FIG. 14, which is similar to the embodimentof FIG. 6, a simple pressure seal 316 is pressed down by main lid 300,into the groove between the top and rim 108 of beverage container 100.FIG. 15 shows a similar construction where seal 317 is pressed down bymain cap 302, on to the top of beverage container 100. In both of theembodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15, a further container not shown in thefigures receives beverage container 100 and mates with the main lid 300or 302 to firmly hold the main lid to the beverage container.

[0079] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:
 1. An arrangement for resealing a beverage containerhaving a top with an aperture that can be opened to discharge thebeverage, the arrangement comprising: a main cap for engagement over thebeverage container top for covering the beverage container top; a sealmember hermetically connected to the main cap and extending toward thebeverage container when the main cap is over the beverage container, theseal member having a pressure sealing portion adapted to engage againstand hermetically seal with the beverage container, for resealing theaperture, the sealing portion being positioned and shaped so thatpressure from the beverage container presses the sealing portion againstthe container to increase the hermetic sealing effect; locking meansconnected to the main cap for removably fixing the main cap to thebeverage container with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and tomaintain pressure in the beverage container; an opening through the maincap for discharging beverage from the beverage container; and asecondary cap removable engaged with the main cap for closing theopening through the main cap with sufficient force to resist pressurefrom, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container.
 2. Anarrangement according to claim 1, for beverage containers having anouter bead on the beverage container rim, the locking means comprisinglatch means for engaging the bead.
 3. An arrangement according to claim2, wherein the locking means for engaging the bead comprise at least onearcuate hook for engaging under the bead and means for resilientlymoving the arcuate hook for engaging under and disengaging from thebead.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking meanscomprises an enclosure having an open top for receiving the beveragecontainer, and engagement means between the main cap and the enclosurefor removable fixing the main cap to the enclosure, and with sufficientforce to resist pressure from, and to maintain pressure in the beveragecontainer.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, including means forinsulating the enclosure.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 1 whereinthe beverage container includes a rim with an inner surface extending atan angle to an axis of the beverage container, the pressure sealingportion being annular and having an outer surface which, with the maincap engaged over the beverage container, lies at least partially againstthe inner surface of the rim.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6wherein the main cap includes an inner rim for engaging at least anupper part of the outer surface of the annular pressure sealing portion,the inner rim extending partially toward the inner surface of the canrim with the main cap engaged over the beverage container.
 8. Anarrangement according to claim 1 wherein the beverage container includesa tab for opening the top of the beverage container, the main capincluding a portion with an edge shaped to engage under the tab to helplift the tab and open the beverage container.
 9. An arrangementaccording to claim 2 wherein the locking means comprise a pair ofpivotally connected latches on opposite sides of the main cap, eachhaving a lower portion for hooking the outer bead and upper projectingportions.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 9 wherein the secondarycap has an outer diameter for engaging behind the upper projectingportions to prevent the latches from pivoting when the secondary cap isin a position to close the opening through the main cap.
 11. Anarrangement according to claim 9 wherein the secondary cap has an innerdiameter for engaging around the outer surface of the latches forkeeping the latches locked to the bead.
 12. An arrangement according toclaim 9 wherein each lower portion of the latches has a hook whichextends around at least part of a circumference of the beveragecontainer rim.
 13. An arrangement according to claim 12 wherein eachlatch extends around about 90°-180° of the circumference of the bead.14. An arrangement according to claim 12 wherein the main cap comprisesa latch member which carries the latches, and a seal support memberwhich carries the seal member, the latch member and the seal supportmember, being connected to each other to form the main cap.
 15. Anarrangement according to claim 14 wherein the latch member includes acylindrical portion and a platform extending in the cylindrical portion,the platform having an aperture therethrough for receiving part of theseal support member, and a plurality of slots extending in thecylindrical portion for defining at least one live hinge between thelatches.
 16. An arrangement according to claim 15 including grooves inthe platform for defining part of the live hinge.
 17. An arrangementaccording to claim 15 wherein the seal support portion has a conicalprojection which is hollow and which carries the opening through themain cap, the aperture in the latch member having at least one conicalportion for locking the conical projection to fix the seal supportmember to the latch member.
 18. An arrangement according to claim 1wherein the sealing portion is annular and flexible.
 19. An arrangementaccording to claim 18 wherein the annular flexible sealing portionextends downwardly and inwardly with respect to the main cap.
 20. Anarrangement according to claim 19 wherein the annular flexible sealingportion is positioned and shaped to engage onto the top of the beveragecontainer.
 21. An arrangement according to claim 19 wherein the annularflexible sealing portion is positioned to engage into a groove aroundthe top of the beverage container and against the inner surface of therim of the beverage container.
 22. An arrangement for resealing abeverage container having a top with an aperture that can be opened todischarge the beverage, and a rim with an inner surface, around the top,the arrangement comprising: a main cap for engagement over the beveragecontainer top for covering the beverage container top; a seal memberhermetically connected to the main cap and extending toward the beveragecontainer top when the main cap is over the beverage container top, theseal member having a sealing portion adapted to engage against andhermetically seal with the beverage container; an enclosure having anopen top for receiving the beverage container, with engagement meansbetween the main cap and the enclosure for removable fixing the main capto the enclosure with sufficient force to resist pressure from, and tomaintain pressure in the beverage container; an opening through the maincap for discharging beverage from the beverage container; and asecondary cap removable engaged with the main cap for closing theopening through the main cap with sufficient force to resist pressurefrom, and to maintain pressure in the beverage container.
 23. Anarrangement according to claim 22 wherein the enclosure is insulated.24. An arrangement according to claim 23 wherein the engagement meanscomprises a thread engagement between the main cap and the enclosure.25. An arrangement according to claim 24 wherein the sealing portion isannular and is positioned to engage into a groove on the top of thebeverage container which is at the base of the inner surface of the rim.26. An arrangement according to claim 24 wherein the sealing portion isannular and is positioned to engage against the top of the beveragecontainer at a location inwardly of the inner surface of the rim.